Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has ordered investigative agencies to enforce regular inspections in Nairobi garages following the Embakasi explosion that claimed three lives and injured over 280 others.
Speaking at the scene of the Friday incident, Gachagua argued that garages were being bused for illegal gas and fuel businesses.
He added that such illegal dealings risked the lives of many Kenyans, with government drivers at the centre of the dealings.
In effecting the directive, he revealed that they would engage the Nairobi security team to commence the operation given that most incidents were being witnessed in the city.
He also indicated that the gas tanker that caused the Friday explosion was involved in the illicit trade.
"Sometimes our drivers come to these garages to sell. The drivers are paid Ksh1,000 yet the garages take fuel worth Ksh10,000.
"That driver came here to dump gas illegally. Now see the pain and destruction it has caused. Let us be responsible and stop shortcuts in life because they cannot work," the DP stated.
On the other hand, he revealed that security agencies were tracking down suspects responsible for the explosion amid uproar from Kenyans over the laxity of the government in containing illegal gas plants.
Gachagua added that the government would also be working with various development partners to offer relief to victims of the Friday explosion.
The Friday explosion was linked to two mechanics who attempted to jumpstart a stalled vehicle. Sparks produced during the incident caused the explosion given that residents had earlier detected gas leakages.
On the other hand, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) revealed that the gas company in question was operating without a licence.
"The main reason for the rejection was the failure of the designs to meet the safety distances stipulated in the Kenya Standard. EPRA noted the high population density around the proposed site and the applicant was requested to submit a Qualitative Risk Assessment clearly indicating the radiation blast profiles in the unfortunate case of an explosion like the one that happened yesterday.
"The blast profiles are simulated by use of computer software and indicate the effect of a typical blast in terms of heat radiation and tremor/vibration and are useful in reviewing the safety of the surrounding areas," EPRA stated.
